Cfe^ DAY DREAMS 
J5l 



«s 




AND 

OTHER POEMS 




CLARENCE BUCKMASTER BOLMER 




Class 

Book 

Copyright }J^_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOStR 



DAY DREAMS 

AND 

OTHER POEMS 





CLARENCE BUCKMASTER BOLMER 






3 



Copyright, 191 5 

BY 

CLARENCE BUCKMASTER BOLMER 



tlbe IknickerbocKr f>rcsg, "Mew l^orft 



JAN -8 1916 

(©CI.A418363 



1 KNOW I HAVE ALWAYS LACKED WORLDLY WISDOM, BUT IF 

THESE LINES MUST BE DEDICATED, WHY 

NOT SAY TO 

LOVE, LIGHT, HOPE, and SYMPATHY? 





CONTENTS 








PAGB 


Day Dreams i 


Dreaming on the Hillside 








2 


Cling to Love*s Sunshine 








3 


Dreaming on the Moor . 








4 


Golden Days 








5 


The Flowers 










6 


Spring 










7 


Love's Mirror 










8 


The Message 










9 


With the Clouds 










10 


Beyond the Blue 










II 


Sailing 










12 


A Message from the Sea 








13 


The Fishes' Wash-Day . 








14 


Neptune's Cowes . 








15 


Childhood .... 








i6 


The Songs That Childhood Knew 








17 


Children .... 








i8 


Grandpa's Clock . 








19 


Crowning Baby Br 


other 








20 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Mothers of Men ....... 21 

Real Women ....... 22 

Nature 23 

The Call of the Cedars 24 

Nature's Monuments 25 

The Real Musician .26 

Life 27 

Old Sweethearts 28 

Kindred Spirits ....... 29 

Light of Lights 30 

The Awakening of the Flowers . .31 

The Pride of the Rose 32 

Early Autumn 33 

West Rock 34 

The Woods in Winter 35 

Departing Day 36 

The Fairies' Goodnight 37 

Watching for Santa 38 

Spirit of Christmas . . . . -39 

The Day after Christmas 40 

The New Year 41 

God's Love 42 

Let There Be Light 43 

vi 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

The Spirit Calling 44 

Eternity ........ 45 

Tears 46 

Snapdragons 47 

The Soul of the Flowers 48 

If Christe Is Coming 49 

Finding Rest 50 

Easter 51 

Going Home 52 

At Rest 53 

The Song of the Sea 54 

Fading with the Flowers 55 

Looking Backward . . . . . -56 

Love ......... 57 



vu 



DAY DREAMS 



DAY DREAMS 

Only a ray of sunshine 
On the papered wall — 

Just a note of sympathy 
To link the hearts of all ; 

* The Golden Gates fly open — 
We wander where we will, 

The roses time has gathered 
Are blooming round us still ; 

And, in the soft warm pressure 
Of lips cold long ago, 

We feel the love-light passing 
From them to us below ! 

New Haven, Dec. 27, 1914. 



DAY DREAMS 



DREAMING ON THE HILLSIDE 

Come with me to the hillside 
To watch the shadows creep, 

And listen while the breezes 
Wake sighs in trees that sleep ; 

And then we'll go a-dreaming 

Our castles in the air, 
While unseen birds make music 

To charm our ladies fair; 

And fairies come a-sailing 
Like flowers on the wing, 

Till our poor hearts are stolen 
Ere they begin to sing. 

Now fast and ever faster 

Falls the declining day. 
The shadows meet together — 

Our dreams — oh where are they? 

August 2, 1913. 



DAY DREAMS 



CLING TO LOVE'S SUNSHINE 

Dreamily the shadows 

Are creeping o'er the grass, 

Blotting out the sunshine 
Where e'er they chance to pass. 

Thus our cares come stealing 

After the noon of life 
Driving out its brightness 

With growing shades of strife. 

Cling ye to the sunbeams 
That fell with early love ; 

They are links that bind thee 
To Him who rules above. 

Mamaroneck, July 5, iqis* 



DAY DREAMS 



DREAMING ON THE MOOR 

Deep in the heart of the meadow, 
At rest with the brown and gold, 

Part of the deathless mystery 
That the countless ages hold; 

Part of the grass and the rushes, 
A part of the river and trees, 

Our souls reach beyond the sky-line 
To a land the spirit sees ! 

While forever and forever 
On life's vast, eternal way 

We pass, like the clouds of summer,- 
The memory of a day ! 

New Haven, Oct. 4, 1914. 



DAY DREAMS 



GOLDEN DAYS 

Out of the haze, out of the sky, 
Out of the south wind passing by, 
Come visions of forgotten years 
Seen dimly, through a veil of tears. 

How often, when the heart was young — 
When like the birds we had a tongue 
For each sweet bHss that ever grew, 
While all the world was bright and true- 

We sat and watched a sunHt sea 
And revelled in its mystery ; 
No tongue or pen can ever tell 
All, all we felt and loved so well ! 

Far better than a crown of gold. 
The tender love that youth can hold; 
And when we pass beyond the sky 
Well find it waiting us on high! 

Mamaroneck, July 4, 1915- 



DAY DREAMS 



THE FLOWERS 

Like wind among the flowers 
My heart would love to roam 

And kiss each dainty blossom 
To take its fragrance home. 

The world is full of beauty 
For all who will to see : 

Go oft among the flowers — 
They bring God near to thee ! 

New Haven, April 30, 1915. 



DAY DREAMS 



SPRING 

An angel kissed the treetops, 
When all the world was gray, 

To wake the dainty goddess 
Whose soul shines in the May. 

And as we sit and wonder 

In the soft, sweet light of spring 

The golden gates fly open 
And we hear the angels sing; 

And there comes again the music 
That swelled in youthful days, 

And we see beyond the river 
The parting of the ways. 

New Haven, April 30, 191 5. 



DAY DREAMS 



LOVE'S MIRROR 

Sweetly from the river 
Smiles again the sky, 

While the waving branches 
In its bosom lie ; 

In our hearts the faces 
Memory holds dear 

Are forever shining 
In love's atmosphere. 

New Haven, Feby. i6, 1915. 



DAY DREAMS 



THE MESSAGE 

The wavelets murmur softly 
A message from the sea, 

And we can hear the echoes 
Of far-off Galilee. 

Deep in our hearts, the cadence 

Of all that was and is 
Frames the eternal message 

Peace ! Peace ! For ye are His ! 

Alike in joy and sorrow 
We feel that He is near. 

And as the shadows deepen 
He whispers, " I am here ! " 

Mamaroneck, July 4, 1915. 



DAY DREAMS 



WITH THE CLOUDS 

Ye clouds that come a-sailing, 
Sailing through the blue — 

Gazing we go a-dreaming, 
Dreaming there with you. 

The world is left behind us 

Cradled in the sky ; 
Alone with mighty echoes 

Of thoughts that never die, 

We hear a low, sweet music 
Stealing from above — 

Feel in our hearts the beauty. 
Might, and power of love ! 

New Haven, Jany, 7, 1915. 



DAY DREAMS 



BEYOND THE BLUE 

I wonder what lies hidden 
There, far beyond the blue? 

For oft, as I sit dreaming, 
Soft angel eyes look through ; 

And I can hear sweet music 
Stealing from far above, 

And feel the healing power 
Of His eternal love. 

A voice is ever calling 
From far beyond the blue ; 

It is The Heavenly Father 
Appealing there to you. 
Mamaroneck, May 31, 1913. 



DAY DREAMS 



SAILING 

We scud in a wild sou'wester 
With all sails bellying free, 

And cling on our perch to windward 
To laugh at the raging sea. 

Ho ! Ho ! to the salt spray flying 
As the white caps kiss the wind ; 

Ho ! Ho ! to wild delirium 
Enthralling both heart and mind. 

As clinging there to windward, 
We children of the sea 

Thrill at sight of her grandeur- 
Drink of her mystery ! 

Mamaroneck, May 30, 1913. 



DAY DREAMS 



A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA 

Softly the waves are singing 
Just as they kiss the shore, 

I love their gentle music 
Repeated o'er and o'er; 

And as I see them coming 
From far away at sea, 

I feel they bear a message 
To loose my cares from me. 

I would not^ — ^and I could not — 
Forego their magic spell 

For all the gold that glitters 
In halls where rich men dwell ! 

Mamaroneck, July 5, 1913. 



13 



DAY DREAMS 



THE FISHES' WASH-DAY 
(To a Child) 

"Mother, 'tis fishes' wash-day!" 
Nurse heard the mermaids say ; 

And you can see their soapsuds 
On every little bay. 

And rocks that hold their sponges 

While far away at sea, 
Out where the waves are breaking 

Their clothes lie bleaching^ — see ! 

Oh! Mother, call the fishes 
To come and play with me. 

And while they wash their dishes, 
To tell me of the sea. 

Mamaroneck, July 6, 1913. 



14 



DAY DREAMS 



NEPTUNE'S COWES 

A plaintive voice from far at sea, 
Old Neptune's Cowes' sad melody, 
Comes floating o'er the billows dim 
From fog-bound Light at danger's rim. 

That warning cry goes out to all. 
Clear as " The writing on the wall, " 
Telling of hidden perils nigh. 
Though calm the wave and bright the sky. 

No sailor, how e'er bold and grim. 
But shudders as it reaches him ; 
And feels how near by land or sea 
Is the vale of eternity ! 

Mamaroneck, July 5, 1913. 



15 



DAY DREAMS 



CHILDHOOD 

Hush! Was that but an echo? 

My heart is standing still ; 
Surely the veil is lifting 

As I gaze beyond the hill. 
For I can see the faces 

That I loved long ago, 
Before my soul was clouded 

With all this drifting snow; 
Softly fall the melodies 

That swelled when hearts were young, 
And gave the sweetest music 

That ever yet was sung; 
And, as I clasp them to me. 

There come again today 
The soulful songs of childhood 

When all the world was May. 
Take what you will but leave me 

The dear sweet dreams of youth, 
That came when hearts were guileless 

And sang with love and truth. 

New Haven, Dec. 21, 1913. 



16 



DAY DREAMS 



THE SONGS THAT CHILDHOOD KNEW 

If I could but remember 
The songs that childhood knew, 

And stand among the daisies 
When all the world was new, 

And see the violets smiling 
And nodding to and fro, 

While mossy-pipes are singing 
The songs the fairies know. 

Vd hear a sweeter music 
Than ever manhood knew. 

And see a sky of violets 

With heaven looking through. 

New Haven, Nov. 28, 1914. 



17 



DAY DREAMS 



CHILDREN 

Playing there among the flowers- 
Dancing in and out — 

Each new discovery greeted 
With an eager shout. 

Do the flowers beckon — 
Begging you to stay, 

Does every little blossom 
Whisper, " Come and play "? 

Children, soft-eyed children 
Sent us from above, 

We hear your voices calling, 
" Love, eternal Love ! " 

New Haven, Nov. 29, 1914. 



18 



DAY DREAMS 



GRANDPA'S CLOCK 

Grandpa's clock at foot of the stair, 
Come ! ope the door and peep in there 
Where, going ever to and fro 
The old heart mutters soft and low, 

Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! as seconds knock 
Till sixty stand in every flock. 
And we have heard how minutes grow — 
Just sixty to the hour you know, 

Before a voice sings loud and clear — 
By day so sweet, by night so drear — 
The requiem of passing hours 
That die to make each day of ours ! 

New Haven, Jany. 20, 1915. 



19 



DAY DREAMS 



CROWNING BABY BROTHER 

Four years old tomorrow day — 
Mother, Mother, come and play 
With the blocks upon the floor, 
Here beside the house of Noah! 

Let us build a palace grand 
For the fairest in the land. 
Don't let baby brother see 
Till the fairies come to tea; 

Then, when all are gathered round, 
Let the music softly sound 
As we lead him by the hand — 
Crown him " king of fairyland ! " 
New Haven, Dec. 9, 1914. 



20 



DAY DREAMS 



MOTHERS OF MEN 

Like swans waddling upon the ice 

The suffragettes appear, 
Females shorn of womanly grace 

To man no longer dear. 
Fair birds of placid waters 

In sunshine or in shade, 
Round thee our hopes are centered, 

By thee our homes are made. 
What mean votes when you have them? 

You rule the hearts of men; 
Dear mothers of all the ages, 

Oh, come to us again! 

New Haven, Dec. 21, 1913. 



21 



DAY DREAMS 



REAL WOMEN 

The rarest things on earth today 
Are women of whom men can say 
They are the pride and joy of home 
And hold our hearts where 'er we roam. 

No vision sweeter nor more blest 
Than woman breathing hope and rest — 
An angel sent us from the skies, 
In her the world's salvation lies ! 

New Haven, April 28, 1915. 



DAY DREAMS 



NATURE 

The sky, the trees, and the waters 

Are ever singing to me : 
I love the fields and the hillsides. 

The mountains rugged and free. 

Nature ! Inscrutable nature ! 

Thy laws eternal unfold, 
And leave me clinging around thee, 

Far from the worship of gold ! 

New Haven, Feby. i8, 1915. 



23 



DAY DREAMS 



THE CALL OF THE CEDARS 

The sombre, gloomy cedars 
Stand pointing to the sky — 

A silent note of warning 
As we pass slowly by. 

And as the dead leaves rustle 
We hear the north wind sigh, 

Mocking the hopes of summer 
That all around us lie. 

Again, in the gray of evening. 
As stalk the shadows grim. 

We, too, are looking upward 
And feel the need of Him ! 

Marvel Woods, Jany. i, 1914. 



24 



DAY DREAMS 



NATURE'S MONUMENTS 

We sit among the cedars 
With autumn bending near, 

To us, they are the monuments 
Of each departed year; 

Standing and pointing upward 
To reahns beyond the sky 

We seem to hear them whisper, 
" Your bodies only die! " 

And, in the peaceful glory 
Of our fast fading day. 

We gaze beyond the sunset 
To where our loved ones stray! 

New Haven Oct. ii, 1914- 



25 



DAY DREAMS 



THE REAL MUSICIAN 

A touch that seems to mellow 
The notes of joy or woe, 

Sweet as an angePs carol, 
Soft as the falling snow. 

We hear the mystic voices 
With each composer's ear, 

As the waves of melody 
Retreat and then draw near. 

At home among the masters. 
They answer to his call; 

He links their souls together, 
Then speaks for one and all ! 

New Haven, Nov. 26, 1914. 



26 



DAY DREAMS 



LIFE 

Life is the blending of light and shade, 
The sun comes out and the clouds are made, 
And joy should be the season of prayer 
For in it lurk the seeds of despair. 

The brightest of days often foretells 
Fierce storms that only destruction quells, 
And soft eyes that gaze in thine today 
A moment hence may be called away. 

We must learn to bear both light and shade; 
Deep in our hearts are the sunbeams laid 
To cheer us e'en in the darkest hour 
With love's eternal and deathless flower. 

New Haven, June 7, 19 14. 



27 



DAY DREAMS 



OLD SWEETHEARTS 

As I sat sadly dreaming 

Beneath a maple tree, 
I saw a four-leaf clover 

Was smiling up at me. 

And as she gently nodded 
Her queenly little head 

I gladly caught her to me 
And listened as she said: 

" Through all the days of summer 
I've lingered 'neath the tree, 

That when the Fall was coming 
I might bring luck to thee. " 

And nothing now shall part us, 
For in my heart she grows 

Sweet as an April morning 
Blushing through the snows. 
Lake George, Sept. lo, 191 3. 



28 



DAY DREAMS 



KINDRED SPIRITS 

We love to watch the starlings 
High up on tower and tree, 

Looking ever for the light 

Though black as black can be. 

We feel that we are brothers, 
The children of the night, 

Who, in the gloom and darkness. 
Still bear the seeds of Ught. 

And, when the bright gates open. 
Flooding the world with light. 

We'll hear the starlings calling 
Us, far from human sight. 

New Haven, Jany. 9, 1915. 



29 



DAY DREAMS 



LIGHT OF LIGHTS 

Come and gather the sunbeams 
To twine around thy heart, 

For in our earthly music 
They play no minor part. 

And e'en at the gates of heaven 
I heard a lost one say : 

" Alas ! I may not enter, 
My sunbeams went astray ! " 

New Haven, June 5, 1914. 



30 



DAY DREAMS 



THE AWAKENING OF THE FLOWERS 

Come watch with me in the garden 
Before the first dawn of day, 

To dream as the sun on rising 
Kisses the dewdrops away. 

For sweet is the early morning 
As the flowers, one by one. 

Reflect in waves of purity 
The caresses of the sun. 

Hush! their voices are calling— 

Their breath is scenting the air- 
God's love is in and around them, 
And this is their morning prayer. 

Tune 15, 1913. 



31 



DAY DREAMS 



THE PRIDE OF THE ROSE 

I watched the gentle butterflies 

Kiss Pansies one by one, 
While the proud Killarney Roses 

Stood pouting in the sun. 

There be thorns on all the Roses; 

But those the Irish grow, 
Are a test for any lover 

Who would their sweetness know; 

And, when you visit Ireland 
With hopes and fancy free, 

You'll find that her maids so guileless 
Have pointed tongues for thee. 
Lake George, Sept. 7, 1913. 



32 



DAY DREAMS 



EARLY AUTUMN 

Blackberry bushes are glowing, 

Sumacs flame afar, 
We watch the autumn coming 

In her bright, magic car. 

All yellow are the birches, 
The maples here and there 

Are blazing in the forest 

To make the greens more fair. 

The grasses on the hillsides 
Are all a brownish gray. 

Bowing round the goldenrod^ — 
The autumn's Queen of May. 

And, in the hazy distance 

As far as eye can see. 
We go a-dreaming, dreaming 

Of life that is to be. 



33 



DAY DREAMS 



WEST ROCK 

West Rock brooding o^er a city — 
Growing to your very door^ — 

Where once lived a race of warriors 
Well beloved in days of yore? 

Shall we pass as they have vanished? 

Leaving scarce a trace behind 
Of the worshipers of Mammon — 

For a nobler race to find? 

Wake ! and see how we are drifting 
On the shoals of lust and pride ; 

BUnded by a golden shower 
Hemming us on every side. 

Speak ! oh, Rock ! in solemn grandeur 
Brush our sordid aims away ! 

Teach us how to build a nation 
That shall live for aye and aye ! 

June 28, 1913. 



34 



DAY DREAMS 



THE WOODS IN WINTER 

Peace is in the woodlands, 
Love is in the air, 

From the naked branches 
Steals the gentle prayer 

Of a spirit calling 

To the souls of men — 

Come ! when ye are weary 
Come and rest again. 

New Haven, Feby. 21, 1915. 



35 



DAY DREAMS 



DEPARTING DAY 

With the gray of evening, 
As night is gathering in, 

We feel a note of sadness 
Touch day's departing h3min; 

And as we pause to listen 

To the dictates of the heart, 
Old sorrows gather round us 
And tears unbidden start ! 
New Haven, Dec. 8, 19 14. 



36 



DAY DREAMS 



THE FAIRIES' GOODNIGHT 

Mother, while we nestle round you 
As the sun is sinking low, 

Tell again the magic story- 
Make the fairies come and go, 

Till they dance and circle round us 
In the mystic evening glow. 

While the lily bells are ringing 
Golden music from their snow; 

As their Queen, on rose-leaf sitting. 
Drawn by butterflies a score. 

With a diadem of glowworms. 
Fireflies flitting on before. 

Comes to greet her loyal subjects 
In the fairies' secret glen — 

Now our eyes are closing. Mother, 
As she waves her wand again ! 

New Haven, Jany. 4, 191 5. 



37 



DAY DREAMS 



WATCHING FOR SANTA 

Wondering, waiting, watching there, 
O'er the snow and up in the air, 
Where sleepless stars with eyes so bright 
Keep watch and ward on Xmas Night ! 

"Hark! How the clock ticks loud and clear! 
Closer, come closer, brother dear; 
I see a light beyond the hill^ — 
' Tis nearer, nearer, hold me still ! 

" I hear the music of the bells— 
I see a dancing troop of elves — 
Look ! Look ! The reindeer pass the door 
While Santa climbs the chimney o'er! 

"Brother, Brother, let's away! 
For this is surely Xmas Day, 
With Santa waiting over-head 
Till we are all asleep in bed! " 

New Haven, Dec. 20, 19 14. 



38 



DAY DREAMS 



SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS 

Behold ! An angel smiling 
Above each Christmas tree; 

Her gifts are for the loving 
And they alone may see, 

Of all the many blessings 
God has bestowed on men, 

The crowning one is loving — 
For here He speaks again. 

And ye, who come on Christmas 

In meekness and in love, 
Are standing on the threshold 
Within the light above! 
New Haven, Dec. 22, 1914. 



39 



DAY DREAMS 



THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS 

Zero — with birds a-singing — 
The world a burst of light — 

Deep in our hearts the music 
Of Christmas Day and Night ! 

Oh ! let us all remember 
Who smiled upon that day, 

And follow with our crosses, 
Where He has led the way; 

For, though the path be narrow. 
With thorns on every side, 

A gentle Voice is calling : 

" Thou Shalt with Me abide! " 

New Haven, Dec. 26, 1914. 



40 



DAY DREAMS 



THE NEW YEAR 

" Ye Crane Calendar " is swinging 
On the desk above my head, 

As I watch the new year steaUng 
Through the portals of the dead. 

Sweetly swells ye olden music — 
Singing in far groves of love — 

As it did when all was summer, 
Summer with the nesting dove; 

And I call ye old days round me 
That the future may be bright 

With the memories of springtime 
To illume the shades of night. 

New Haven, Jany. i, 1915. 



41 



DAY DREAMS 



GOD'S LOVE 

All the pleasures we are finding, 
Stolen from the sands of time ; 

All the music we are grinding 
Into mystic notes of rhyme, 

Are an echo of the spirit — 
Of the mighty soul divine — 

God is near us when we hear it 
Calling to us " Ye are mine ! " 

Softly, sweetly, it is falling 
In the healing notes of love ; 

Calling, calling, ever calling. 
Bidding us to look above ! 
New Haven, Nov. 9, 1914. 



42 



DAY DREAMS 



LET THERE BE LIGHT 

The Parson babbles of Rubrics ; 

We gaze at sea and the sky; 
The Bishop drones from the Pulpit; 

We look at the flowers and sigh. 

Unheeded, their ancient dogmas 
Sweep on to oblivion's sea, 

Leaving earth brighter and purer, 
With God nearer to you and me. 

Mamaroneck, July 4, 1913. 
As the Rector calls. 



43 



DAY DREAMS 



THE SPIRIT CALLING 

Soft rolling clouds come floating 

And drifting o'er the blue, 
In shaded white and purple 

Of every dainty hue ; 

With fleecy domes and castles, 
Bright halls where fairies play. 

And with the wind-god gambol 
Along the golden way. 

Whence come these strange, wild longings 

To rise and with them fly 
Forever and forever 

The trackless blue on high? 

It is the Spirit caUing 

The soul of man's unrest 
Ever and ever upward 

To regions of the blessed ! 

Mamaroneck, July 4, 1915. 



44 



DAY DREAMS 



ETERNITY 

We pass — but is all forgotten? 

I cannot read it so ; 
For in my heart are the echoes 

Of ages closed long ago. 

Slumbering shadows from dreamland, 

Patiently lurking there, 
That oft in the twilight hour 

Cluster around my chair. 

While strains of rhythmical music 
Float from the groves of love 

Whispering, " We are remembered, " 
There in the land above. 

New Haven, July 14, 1913. 



45 



DAY DREAMS 



TEARS 

Looking through the ram drops — 
Gazmg through the mist — 

While our thoughts are drifting 
Wheresoe^re they list; 

Hearing plaintive voices 

In the falling rain, 
As our hearts re-echo 

Sorrow's sad refrain; 

Seeing flowers growing 

O'er those we loved so well^ — 

Waiting time to lead us — 

To where our dear ones dwell! 

New Haven, Dec. 19, 1914. 



46 



DAY DREAMS 



SNAPDRAGONS 

Bright dreamers gently nodding 
In waves of golden spray, 

Loved children of the sun-god, 
Who lights our pathless way. 

How sweet, when we are weary, 
To find thee blooming there 

On some old barren hillside. 
When life is full of care ; 

And feel our troubles fading 
In golden dreams of love. 

As in our hearts you echo 
A message from above ! 

New Haven, August lo, 19 13. 



47 



DAY DREAMS 



THE SOUL OF THE FLOWERS 

Just a spray of goldenrod 
With asters bending near, 

And yet we hear the echo 
Of all the world holds dear. 

We can feel the love of the flowers, 
The fragrance of their spell, 

But they breathe a holier message 
Our hearts may never tell. 

New Haven, Sept. 28, 19 14. 



48 



DAY DREAMS 



IF CHRISTE IS COMING 

If Christe should come — and Christe may 
come 

And stand with us today^ — 
The same thieves are in the temple 

That He drove far away. 

The same Golden Calf is shining 

In every human heart, 
And the Pharisees extolling 

The "better than thou art. " 

And, if Christe be really coming, 

Ye Christians of today 
Will be found in outer darkness 

As lost ones gone astray ! 

New Haven, Nov. 8, 1914. 



49 



DAY DREAMS 



FINDING REST 

I sit among the lilies, 
With friends on every hand, 

The purest and the sweetest 
Outside of fairyland; 

And, as I hear them whisper 
While smiling up at me, 

I feel a holy presence. 
And sink on bended knee; 

And ye, whose hearts are weary 
With life's depressing cares. 

Go ! Ye ! among the flowers 
And rest your soul in theirs ! 

Mamaroneck, Monday, July 5, 1915. 



50 



DAY DREAMS 



EASTER 

Christ is risen! Christ is risen! 

Low, sweet music in the air— 
We can feel our sins forgiven 

As our hearts go up in prayer! 

While the angels gather round Him, 
Songs of praise and songs of love 

Echo and re-echo round us. 
As we kneel and look above. 

Hope and love and praise ascending 
Make the cross a living thing; 

We have but our hearts to offer 
As we pray and as we sing ! 

Christ will help us if we ask Him — 
He, Who died that we may live. 

Only asks that we should trust Him, 
Cling around His cross and live. 

Let us then, in hope abounding. 
Meekly follow in His way; 

He will lead us! He will save us! 
If we truly work and pray! 

Easter, April 4, 1915. 

51 



DAY DREAMS 



GOING HOME 

I am tired, oh, so tired ! 

Let the flowers touch my brow; 
I am weary, oh, so weary ! 

Yet I hear the angels now. 

Play, oh, play some low, sweet music, 

Let it softly float about ! 
I am drifting with the current 

And the tide will soon be out. 

I don't ask you to forget me 
Waiting on the distant shore ; 

When you follow, oh, so weary, 
I shall meet you at the door ! 

Let my hands be meekly folded, 
Let the sun upon my brow 

Linger till the darkness gathers — 
Good-night ! I am going now ! 

In Memoriam. June 29, 1915. 



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DAY DREAMS 



In Memoriam. To the Countess Ostrorog 
{nee Eloise Eastwood Wallace). 

AT REST 

As you gather softly round her 
With a love unknown till now, 

Feel the hush as waiting angels 
Place the crown upon her brow. 

Weep not ! she was called before thee ; 

That her earthly task is done ; 
That the gentle Saviour to Him 

Has called Home a faithful one. 

But remember she still loves thee 
Better now than e'er before, 

And her spirit watches o'er thee 
From that sweet and Holy Shore. 



53 



DAY DREAMS 



THE SONG OF THE SEA 

On the beach the waves are singing 

The music of the sea, 
And my heart is dreaming, dreaming, 

Full of their mystery ; 

Till dimly I hear the echoes 

Of all that was and is, 
In their grand eternal rhythm. 

Whispering " Ye are His! " 

While softly the curtain rises^ — 

And I can see afar 
The land where souls are united 

Beyond the farthest star ! 
July 13, 1915. 



54 



DAY DREAMS 



FADING WITH THE FLOWERS 

Mother ! I see the angels 
Launching the fleecy clouds ; 

See ! There ! beyond the mountains— 
They come in snow-white crowds. 

Mother ! I hear the angels 

Passing overhead, 
And I can see the lilies 

Growing round my bed. 

Don't cry so, Mother darling ! 

I won't be long away ! 
Kiss me, for God is calling^ — 

And teach me how to pray ! 

Observatory, September 19, 1915. 



55 



DAY DREAMS 



LOOKING BACKWARD 

Would that in looking backward 
O'er the rugged path of life, 

We could have risen higher 
In its petty, selfish strife ! 

Would that the thought of others 
Had lingered by our side. 

When life was full of roses — 
Before our best dreams died. 

I see a country churchyard. 
And there among the dead^ — 

The duties long neglected — 
The kind words left unsaid ! 

September 19, 1915. 



56 



DAY DREAMS 



LOVE 

I saw a dainty bluebell 
Cling to a flinty rock, 

Holding a bud above her 
The color of her frock; 

Rocking the little darling 
In every wind that blows 

With sweet and gentle patience 
A mother only knows. 

And something whispered to me 
That, by a law divine, 

No heart so hard and barren 
But love will round it twine. 

Echo Bay, September 23, 1915. 



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